Online Master of Science in Education in Special Education

The Online MSE in Special Education is a 36-credit program with an emphasis in either Adaptive Education to Cross Catigorical, Applied Behavior Analysis, Cross-Categorical Licensure or Evidence Based Practice. This fully online program can be started any term and at a pace that works best for you. Full-time students can finish in as little as a year and a half.

The Adaptive Education to Cross Categorical emphasis is designed for UWW alumni with BSE and Adaptive Education who desire a route to cross categorical licensure that provides credit for content learned in their undergraduate program. This allows students to complete 15 credit hours of electives rather than required coursework within their degree plan. Students are required to complete 21 credits and are allowed 15 elective credits. Students can therefore add a specialty certificate area to their graduate program.

The Applied Behavior Analysis emphasis is designed to prepare professionals with undergraduate degrees in education or related fields to use Applied Behavior Analysis to create, coordinate and/or implement ABA-based interventions with individuals who have challenging behavior and/or disabilities.

The Cross-Categorical Licensure emphasis is for individuals seeking either an initial teaching license or to add-on a Cross-Categorical special education teaching license to their existing teaching license(s). Students who already have a teaching license in another area may be able to include some elective options.

The Evidence Based Practice emphasis is available to individuals from a wide variety of careers who work with individuals with special needs including currently licensed teachers and individuals in related fields. The Evidence Based Practice emphasis is made up of 9 required credits and 27 elective credits, which can include one or more graduate certificates. 

More information on each emphasis structure and courses can be viewed in the Graduate Catalog.

Adaptive Education to Cross Categorical Emphasis - Graduate Catalog (Available Fall 2024)
Applied Behavior Analysis Emphasis - Graduate Catalog
Cross-Categorical Licensure Emphasis -  Graduate Catalog
Evidence Based Practice Emphasis -  Graduate Catalog

If you do not meet the graduate admission criteria, please email us to determine if you could be admitted on a conditional basis.

International students must meet additional criteria and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Contact us for information and assistance.

In addition, candidates must include a 2-3 page written statement of goals outlining their reasons for selecting a program of study in Special Education.

If you compare our graduate tuition to others, you will find that this per-credit price is quite reasonable.

What creates this value?

• Full-time faculty with doctoral degrees teach all classes.
• All faculty complete specific training for online teaching.
• Faculty lectures are recorded in a state-of-the-art media studio and are included with each course.
• An external team reviews online courses.
• High levels of student/faculty interaction are standard.
• Helpdesk technical staff are dedicated to assisting graduate students with online technology.

Course materials
Graduate students can purchase textbooks and other instructional materials through the University Bookstore or elsewhere online. Students should verify what materials are needed with their instructor.

Financial aid

Students enrolled in the Graduate certificate programs are not federal aid eligible. 

Students completing a certificate with a degree program may be eligible for financial aid in the form of grants, loans, scholarships, or employment. All of these make up a “Financial Aid Package” and may be offered singly or in various combinations. Since funds are limited, priority for aid is based on financial need and how promptly applications are filed. For more information, please reach out directly to the Financial Aid department.

This allows alumni to complete licensure requirements while adding a speciality certificate (e.g., dyslexia, autism, trauma informed practice). These students would not fit into the Cross Categorical emphasis because they completed a number of cross categorical licensure requirements at the undergraduate level.

Required courses for the Adaptive Education to Cross Categorical emphasis include:

• SPECED 640 Advanced Behavior Intervention Strategies (Fall, Spring) (3 credits)
• SPECED 662 Educational-Diagnosis and Assessment in LD, E/BD, CD (Spring, Summer) (3 credits)
• SPECED 700 Legal Foundations of Special Education (Fall, Spring)  (3 credits)
• SPECED 752 Science or Reading I (Spring, Summer) (3 credits)
• SPECED 776 Curriculum and Methods for Low Incidence Disabilities (Summer) (3 credits)

Select 6 credits:

• SPECFLD 789 Practicum: Cross Categorical Licensure (6 credits)
• SPECFLD 793 Inservice Practicum: Cross Categorical (6 credits)

Select 15 credits:

• SPECED 680 Student Teaching Seminar and Career Preparation (3 credits)
• SPECED 701 Advanced Methodology and Practices in Special Education (3 credits) (Fall, Spring, for ABA certificate)
• SPECED 702 Reflective Practice and Action Research (3 credits) (Fall or Summer)
• SPECED 703 Promoting Reform through Collaborative Leadership (3 credits) (Spring, for Transition certificate)
• SPECED 704 Applied Field Action Research in Special Education (3 credits) (Fall, Spring, or Summer)
• SPECED 706 Transition Assessment for Students with Special Needs (3 credits) (Summer, for Transition certificate)
• SPECED 707 Foundations of Autism Spectrum Disorder (3 credits) (Spring, Summer, for Autism certificate)
• SPECED 708 Methods for Teaching Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (3 credits) (Fall, Summer, for Autism certificate)
• SPECED 709 Advanced Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (3 credits) (Fall, Spring, for ABA certificate)
• SPECED 711 Ethics in Research and Applied Behavior Analysis (3 credits) (Summer, for ABA certificate)
• SPECED 712 Philosophy of Applied Behavior Analysis (3 credits) (Spring, Summer, for ABA certificate)
• SPECED 713 Assistive Technology for Inclusion (3 credits)
• SPECED 714 Assistive TEchnology and Neurodivergence (3 credits)
• SPECED 715 Supervision of Programs and Personnel in ABA (3 credits) (Summer, for ABA certificate)
• SPECED 741 Behavior Assessment (3 credits) (Fall, Spring, for ABA certificate)
• SPECED 742 Behavior Change Procedures (3 credits) (Fall, Spring, for ABA certificate)
• SPECED 750 Neurology of Dyslexia & Language Based Learning Disabilities (3 credits)
• SPECED 754 Science of Reading II (Summer, Fall) (3 credits)
• SPECED 764 Assessment of Dyslexia and Language Based Learning Dis abilities
• SPECED 781 School-to-Adult Life Transitional Planning (3 credits) (Summer, for Transition certificate)
• SPECED 785 Current Topics in Special Education: Pre-Institute, (1 credit) (Summer)
• SPECED 786 Current Topics in Special Education: Institute, (1 credit) (Summer)
• SPECED 787 Current Topics in Special Education: Post Institute, (1 credit) (Summer)

Admission Requirements:

Students must have earned a BSE at UW-Whitewater and meet the admission requirements outlined in the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Graduate Catalog. 

Applied Behavior Analysis Coursework (21 credits):

• SPECED 709 Advanced Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (3 credits)
• SPECED 701 Advanced Methodology and Practices in Special Education: Single-Case Design (3 credits)
• SPECED 711 Ethics in Research and Applied Behavior Analysis (3 credits)
• SPECED 741 Philosophy of Applied Behavior Analysis (3 credits)
• SPECED 742 Supervision of Programs and Personnel in Applied Behavior Analysis (3 credits)
• SPECED 712 Behavior Assessment (3 credits)
• SPECED 715 Behavior Change Procedures (3 credits)

Action Research (6 credits)

• SPECED 702 Reflective Practice and Action Research (3 credits)
• SPECED 704 Applied Field Action Research in Special Education (3 credits)

Electives (9 credits)

Students will work with their advisor to choose 9 elective credits.

Admission Requirements:

Students must meet the admission requirements outlined in the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Graduate Catalog. 

Courses for the Cross Categorical emphasis may include:

• SPECED 640 Advanced Behavior Intervention Strategies (Fall, Spring) (3 credits)
• SPECED 662 Educational-Diagnosis and Assessment in LD, E/BD, CD (Spring, Summer) (3 credits)
• SPECED 700 Legal Foundations of Special Education (Fall, Spring)  (3 credits)
• SPECED 752 Science or Reading I (Spring, Summer) (3 credits)
• SPECED 754 Science of Reading II (Summer, Fall) (3 credits)
• SPECED 760 Disabilities: Characteristics & Eligibility for Special Education (Fall, Spring) (3 credits)
• SPECED 761 Instructional Strategies for The Inclusive Classroom (Fall) (3 credits)
• SPECED 766 Professional Collaborations: Families and Community Agencies (Summer) (3 credits)
• SPECED 776 Curriculum and Methods for Low Incidence Disabilities (Summer) (3 credits)
• SPECED 783 Graduate Pre Student Teaching Seminar and Field Experience (Fall) (3 credits)
• SPECFLD 793 In-service Practicum or SPECFLD 789 Practicum (Fall, Spring) (1-6 credits)

Students can complete a 36 credit MSE in Special Education with an emphasis in Cross Categorical Licensure in as little as a year and a half. 

Admission Requirements:

Students must pass a criminal background check prior to admission to professional education.

Required courses for the Evidence Based Practice emphasis include:

• SPECED 702 Reflective Practice and Action Research (3 credits) (Fall or Summer)
• SPECED 704 Applied Field Action Research in Special Education (3 credits) (Fall, Spring, or Summer)
• SPECED 785 Current Topics in Special Education: Pre-Institute, (1 credit) (Summer)
• SPECED 786 Current Topics in Special Education: Institute, (1 credit) (Summer)
• SPECED 787 Current Topics in Special Education: Post Institute, (1 credit) (Summer)

Elective courses for Evidence Based Practice emphasis include:

• SPECED 701 Advanced Methodology and Practices in Special Education (3 credits) (Fall, Spring, for ABA certificate)
• SPECED 703 Promoting Reform through Collaborative Leadership (3 credits) (Spring, for Transition certificate)
• SPECED 706 Transition Assessment for Students with Special Needs (3 credits) (Summer, for Transition certificate)
• SPECED 707 Foundations of Autism Spectrum Disorder (3 credits) (Spring, Summer, for Autism certificate)
• SPECED 708 Methods for Teaching Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (3 credits) (Fall, Summer, for Autism certificate)
• SPECED 709 Advanced Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (3 credits) (Fall, Spring, for ABA certificate)
• SPECED 711 Ethics in Research and Applied Behavior Analysis (3 credits) (Summer, for ABA certificate)
• SPECED 712 Philosophy of Applied Behavior Analysis (3 credits) (Spring, Summer, for ABA certificate)
• SPECED 715 Supervision of Programs and Personnel in ABA (3 credits) (Summer, for ABA certificate)
• SPECED 741 Behavior Assessment (3 credits) (Fall, Spring, for ABA certificate)
• SPECED 742 Behavior Change Procedures (3 credits) (Fall, Spring, for ABA certificate)
• SPECED 781 School-to-Adult Life Transitional Planning (3 credits) (Summer, for Transition certificate)

Admission Requirements:

Students must meet the admission requirements outlined in the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Graduate Catalog.